copyright office http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for copyright office Copyright 2008 Sun, 23 Nov 2008 02:32:45 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/copyright+office Introduction To Copyright http://www.artwoo.com/article/introduction-to-copyright http://www.artwoo.com/article/introduction-to-copyright#comments Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:15:02 +0000 u s copyright officeanonymous authorunpublished worklegal representativecopyright protectionpseudonymcopyright law http://www.artwoo.com/article/introduction-to-copyright copyright law protects creators from having their works stolen or used without their permission. In the event that a work registered with the U.S. Copyright Office is stolen or infringed upon, the creator can pursue legal action. To ensure that your work is fully protected, you must have at least a basic understanding of copyright and how it applies to you and your work.

Copyright is the protection afforded to all creators of published and , including the authors of artistic, dramatic, literary, and musical works. In addition, when you register your work with the U.S. Copyright Office, your copyright is protected both in the United States and in those countries that have a agreement with the U.S.

Copyright allows you total control over your work: With exclusive copyright, you can reproduce your work; distribute and sell your creation; publicly perform the work; and publicly display your work.

According to U.S. law, copyright is immediately established the moment a work is created. For example, if you write a book, you legally hold exclusive copyrights to that book, unless you wrote the book on a work-for-hire basis in which you agreed to transfer all copyrights to another individual or business.

Transferring all copyrights is a common practice today, but the transfer is only valid if there is a written agreement that is signed by the original author or a acting on his behalf. However, if you're giving another individual nonexclusive rights to a work, you do not need a written agreement for it to be valid.

For all works created after January 1, 1978, works are automatically protected by copyright law from the moment of creation until 70 years after the author's death. Those works that are created on a work-for-hire basis or that are created by an or an author with a are protected (unless the author's name appears in records of the U.S. Copyright Office) for a period of 95 years from the work's publication or for a period of 120 years from the date of its creation, whichever proves to be shorter.

Because not all works are eligible for protection under copyright law, it's important that you know what types of works are protected: Those works that are protected by. copyright law include: literary, musical, dramatic, pictorial, graphic, sculptural, architectural, choreographic, and audiovisual works as well as sound recordings, motion pictures, and pantomimes.

There are numerous benefits to registering an eligible work with the U.S. Copyright Office. In addition to receiving a certificate of registration, your copyright will automatically become a part of public record. Additionally, should someone use your work without your permission, you can file suit against that individual and may be entitled to both statutory damages and attorney's fees.

Registering for a copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office is a fairly straightforward process. In addition to filling out an application form, you must pay an application fee and provide a copy, or a nonrefundable deposit, of your work to the Copyright Office. Failing to send all of the materials together in the same package will likely result in having your package sent back to you. Learn more about how to Copyright your valuable works at http://www.how-to-copyright-it.com ]]> How Copyright Protection Works http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-copyright-protection-works http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-copyright-protection-works#comments Thu, 25 May 2006 15:32:07 +0000 copyright protectioncopyright lawdomain namesinternet corporation for assigned names and numbersdomain namelogo artworkpatent trademark office http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-copyright-protection-works
How can I copyright my website? The original authorship that appears on a website may be protected by copyright. This includes artwork, writings, photographs and other forms of authorship protected by copyright. Actions for registering the contents of a website can be found in Copyright Registration for Online Works.

How about copyright and my ? does not protect . The that is a nonprofit organization that has understood the responsibility for domain name system management is administrating the assignation of domain names through recognized registers.

How about copyright to a slogan, logo, name or title? Copyright does not protect titles, names, slogans or short phrases. In a few cases these things may be protected as trademarks. Get in touch with U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on phone 800-786-9199 for additional information. Nevertheless may be obtainable for that contains enough authorship.

Can I protect my ideas? Copyright does not protect systems, concepts, ideas or methods of doing something. You may convey your ideas in writing or drawings and claim copyright in your explanation, but that copyright will not protect the idea itself as revealed in your written or artistic work.

Copyright protection and unpublished work. Publication is not required for copyright protection. It can be done with unpublished work as well.

Architecture copyright protection? Architectural work became subject matter to copyright protection on the 1.st of December 1990. The copyright law defines architectural work as "the design of a building embodied in any tangible medium of expression, including a building, drawings or architectural plans." Copyright protection extends to any architectural work created on or after Dec. 1, 1990. Any architectural works that were incomplete and embodied in unpublished plans or drawings on that date and were constructed by December 31, 2002, are entitled to protection. Architectural designs embodied in buildings constructed prior to December 1, 1990, are not entitled for copyright protection. See Copyright Claims in Architectural Works Much more information about Copyright Protection http://www.copyright-protection-e.com on this website. See for your self. ]]> How Copyright Protection Works http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-copyright-protection-works http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-copyright-protection-works#comments Thu, 25 May 2006 15:32:03 +0000 copyright protectioncopyright lawdomain namesinternet corporation for assigned names and numbersdomain namelogo artworkpatent trademark office http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-copyright-protection-works
How can I copyright my website? The original authorship that appears on a website may be protected by copyright. This includes artwork, writings, photographs and other forms of authorship protected by copyright. Actions for registering the contents of a website can be found in Copyright Registration for Online Works.

How about copyright and my ? does not protect . The that is a nonprofit organization that has understood the responsibility for domain name system management is administrating the assignation of domain names through recognized registers.

How about copyright to a slogan, logo, name or title? Copyright does not protect titles, names, slogans or short phrases. In a few cases these things may be protected as trademarks. Get in touch with U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on phone 800-786-9199 for additional information. Nevertheless may be obtainable for that contains enough authorship.

Can I protect my ideas? Copyright does not protect systems, concepts, ideas or methods of doing something. You may convey your ideas in writing or drawings and claim copyright in your explanation, but that copyright will not protect the idea itself as revealed in your written or artistic work.

Copyright protection and unpublished work. Publication is not required for copyright protection. It can be done with unpublished work as well.

Architecture copyright protection? Architectural work became subject matter to copyright protection on the 1.st of December 1990. The copyright law defines architectural work as "the design of a building embodied in any tangible medium of expression, including a building, drawings or architectural plans." Copyright protection extends to any architectural work created on or after Dec. 1, 1990. Any architectural works that were incomplete and embodied in unpublished plans or drawings on that date and were constructed by December 31, 2002, are entitled to protection. Architectural designs embodied in buildings constructed prior to December 1, 1990, are not entitled for copyright protection. See Copyright Claims in Architectural Works Much more information about Copyright Protection http://www.copyright-protection-e.com on this website. See for your self. ]]> What Is International Copyright Law? http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-international-copyright-law http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-international-copyright-law#comments Sat, 11 Aug 2007 11:20:00 +0000 berne conventioncopyright lawintellectual property rightstaken into considerationinternational copyrightinternational conventionscopyright protection http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-international-copyright-law copyright law. Yes, that is right. There is not an law that will protect your work on the other side of the world. However, it is important to note that most countries do offer some form of protection known as "foreign" works.

and treaties have done a lot to protect owners of copyrights around the world. With the world seemingly becoming smaller every day, the United States took a look at its stance on the European copyright treaty known as the . Basically, the Berne Convention of 1886 involved European nations coming together to seek a uniform copyright law to keep their copyright owners from having to register for copyrights in individuals European countries. The United States signed on to the Berne Convention introduced made it into a U.S. law known as the Berne Implementation Act of 1988.

If you are seeking to have your work protected in a particular country, you need to find out what kind of protection foreign authors have in that country. Some countries offer little or no protection to foreign authors. The U.S. Copyright Office is not allowed to give authors recommendations or the names of attorneys or agents that could help them understand foreign copyright laws. However, with a little investigation it is not hard to find someone who is an expert on foreign copyright law. These individuals can help you learn more about and how your work is deemed in a foreign country.

Someone who works in international copyright law will tell you that it is different than most other sectors of law. It involves knowing the copyright law of two or more countries. Every country has their own way of granting and protecting someone's copyright. The individual criteria of each country must be when you are dealing with international copyright law. Some countries do not have any and some countries even grant more copyright protections than the United States. International copyright laws involve understanding international treaties and conventions, like the Berne Treaty and WIPO Copyright Treaty. If you are interested in pursuing a degree in law, you may want to explore the international copyright law sector. With the world becoming one big neighborhood, you will probably not lack work.

People with copyrighted works need to be aware that there are differences in the copyright laws in some nations. While it is true the United States has signed treaties with some nations, your work will not be protected in every country of the world. As stated, the United States is a member of the Berne Treaty. In addition, the United States is a member of the WIPO Copyright Treaty. This treaty works in conjunction with the Berne Treaty, yet it also covers and gives protection to databases and computer programs. If you would like more information on international copyright law, you should check with an attorney who specializes in international copyright law. Brian Scott is a freelance journalist who covers copyright law for http://www.ResearchCopyright.com. ]]> How to Register a Trademark - Use a Lawyer to Defend Your Trademark or Copyright http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-register-a-trademark-use-a-lawyer-to-defend-your-trademark-or-copyright http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-register-a-trademark-use-a-lawyer-to-defend-your-trademark-or-copyright#comments Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:22:24 +0000 patent trademark officeunited states patent trademark officepatents and copyrightsunited states courtstudies backgroundintellectual property lawintellectual works http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-register-a-trademark-use-a-lawyer-to-defend-your-trademark-or-copyright intellectual works such as songs or writings while a trademark is used to cover industrial products. In order to get all this done, you will require the services of a lawyer. Whoever you decide to be your legal representative should be very qualified and have all the experience in . Your lawyer should also be able to defend you if there are any legal proceedings in relation to your trademark or copyright. He also has to prepare your file for the application of a patent or copyright and take care of all that is linked to the issuance of the copyright or trademark.

Your legal representative should be well educated on matters relating to . It will be of added benefit is he or she has a law and has gone through a law school with thorough studies in intellectual property law.

Why is it always required to employ the services of an agent? This is simply because your legal representative is that person who is qualified, has the time and knows all what it takes to get a trademark or copyright and have them registered. He or she will begin the procedure of registering your trademark or copyright from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Keep in mind that this bureau will take care of agents in the same manner as it will do to lawyers and this will be more feasible if the agent is a registered one.

When there is a violation to a trademark or a copyright, a complaint will be lodged at the of Appeals and this tribunal is found in the Federal Circuit. If the person who breaches the copyright or trademark is found guilty, there will be a pecuniary remedy or an injunction to stop a further breach of the acts. But the option of which remedy to use lies on the copyright or trademark holder. Your attorney should equally make this known to you. Not every copyright or trademark holder will have knowledge of this.

Where Can You Find A Lawyer For This Purpose?

A lot of means are open to you to let you find a lawyer. One of the most appropriate places to search for a lawyer should be the internet. When thinking of the internet, always think about United States Patent and Trademark Office's official website. This site can give you dependable information about available copyright and trademark lawyers.

Before making your selection, make sure that whoever you decide to be your attorney should have a good legal training. It is good that this proposed lawyer should have some accreditation from two or more bar associations. You should be lucky because there are about three thousand accredited copyright and trademark lawyers in the whole or the US and almost seven thousand two hundred acknowledged agents. These numbers are very active in providing some useful services to their clients at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. You should not rely on any name found in this site or from any journal. Your ultimate choice should be based on the experiences that your would-be lawyer possesses. Your can get to know these from feedbacks or recommendations of former clients. You can also meet and talk to your would-be lawyer and asks question to test if he or she has your interests at heart. When you have chosen your lawyer, you must work together with the lawyer in order to realize your dreams. Keep in mind that both of you have a common purpose and this is about getting your copyright or trademark registered.Discover how to trademark intellectual property and guide on finding property trademark attorney when you visit http://www.howtotrademarkcopyright.com, the top resource portal for how to trademark and copyright]]> International Copyright Protection: Fact Or Myth? http://www.artwoo.com/article/international-copyright-protection-fact-or-myth http://www.artwoo.com/article/international-copyright-protection-fact-or-myth#comments Mon, 24 Sep 2007 13:30:00 +0000 international copyrightintricacieslegal repercussionswidgetscopyright protectionglobal economycopyright regulations http://www.artwoo.com/article/international-copyright-protection-fact-or-myth international copyright protection.



As nice as it would be in our to have some sort of clear international regime in place to govern copyrights and their violations, there is none. There is no international .

Generally speaking, protection is governed by the country in which a copyright is claimed or in which a violation is alleged.

Most countries do have in place, but their terms may vary considerably.



Some nations actively cooperate with the U.S. on copyright relations and the U.S. Copyright Office provides information about those agreements and methods for handling international copyright disputes.

As mentioned in the introduction to this ebook, there are resources available regarding copyright considerations in other countries. If you have an issue with potential infringement and are willing to do your homework, you may be able to come to grips with the of international copyright laws and how to apply them to your specific case.



More often than not, however, international copyright issues are too complicated (and often, too costly) for the average person to pursue. This is a particular problem in today's global economy when a competing website could steal materials from another one without any real fear of .

.com could steal from GoodWidgets.com without too much concern, it might seem, if one site is ran from England and the other from Azerbaijan.



It is worth noting, however, that many web site hosts that aren't located in the U.S. are still willing to voluntarily enforce the provisions of the DMCA (which we'll soon discuss in greater detail). One should not, however, assume that a non-U.S. entity will ever bend to U.S. law. They don't need to do so and they probably won't absent an international agreement to the contrary.

Fortunately, many international agreements are in place. The Berne Convention, for instance, has more than one hundred signatories to the treaty who are obliged to provide copyright protections to authors.



The General Agreement on Trades and Tariffs (GATT) treaty also contains some copyright protection provisions.

These treaties have successfully allowed many authors to enforce their rights in other jurisdictions. However, when it comes to copyright, the key factors are often very detailed and differences in laws can result in outcomes one may not anticipate.

Additionally, even though various treaty regimes do assist in copyright protection, the rapidly changing nature of online communication has left some gaps in the system, complicating matters for online copyright holders. Brian Scott is a freelance journalist who covers copyright law for http://www.ResearchCopyright.com. Download his free e-book, "Copyright Basics" at http://ResearchCopyright.com. ]]> The Fine Line Between Plagerism And Copyright Violation http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-fine-line-between-plagerism-and-copyright-violation http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-fine-line-between-plagerism-and-copyright-violation#comments Tue, 02 Oct 2007 16:29:59 +0000 plagiarismplagiarizingoften used interchangeablyintellectual property rightsplagiaristauthor attributionpoem http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-fine-line-between-plagerism-and-copyright-violation plagiarism" and "copyright violation" are . Although that may work well for most dinner table conversations, it's actually incredibly incorrect. Not all acts of plagiarism are copyright violations and the two concepts are actually quite distinct.

Copyright violation refers to the use of protected material without the appropriately expressed consent of the owner. If you take a I have written and to which I hold copyright and then place it on your website, you are violating my copyright. You are breaking the law.

Are you ? Maybe. If you indicate that I am the author (attribution) you aren't really plagiarizing. You have certainly stolen my poem and you are in violation of copyright law, but you aren't passing it off as your own.

Plagiarism refers to stealing the work or ideas of another person for your own use without properly attributing the source.

Being a can get you in trouble in academic and professional settings, but it isn't necessarily illegal.

Illegality only enters the picture at the point of a copyright violation.



Plagiarism is, primarily, an ethical issue. It involves whether it is right or wrong to copy or to steal the ideas of another and pretend as if it is your own.



Copyright, on the other hand, is a legal matter. It involves whether your use of someone else's work infringes their .

All copyright violations aren't plagiarism. Not all plagiarism rises to the level of copyright violation. However, the two phenomena do overlap a great deal. In many cases, the plagiarist will be a copyright infringer. Quite often, the person violating a copyright will be in the process of plagiarizing.

Nonetheless, it does make sense to understand the difference between the two acts. If someone plagiarizes you, you may or may not have recourse. It will usually depend upon whether the act also constitutes an infringement of copyright. Brian Scott is a freelance journalist who covers copyright law for http://www.ResearchCopyright.com. Download his free e-book, "Copyright Basics" at http://ResearchCopyright.com. ]]> How To Copyright Your Music To Protect Your Future Royalties http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-copyright-your-music-to-protect-your-future-royalties http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-copyright-your-music-to-protect-your-future-royalties#comments Sat, 28 Jul 2007 13:35:01 +0000 copyright musiccopyrighting musicrecorded musicsheet musicart musicmore commonly knowntwo different things http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-copyright-your-music-to-protect-your-future-royalties copyrighting music with registering music; these are . According to the law in the United States, once you have written or recorded your music in a permanent form, it is automatically copyrighted.

Of course, it might help to first understand what it means to in the first place. A copyright is a certain legal protection that is offered to those who compose creative works, whether those works are art, music, or the written word. The U. S. Constitution states there are limits one can place on the amount of time the work is exclusively protected.

If you copyright music, this means you (and you alone) have the right to use your work or allow others to use your work. You also have the right to distribute copies of your work. Whether those copies are in the form of written or or to the public as well as the right to perform your music for the public.

There is something called Fair Use ( as the Fair Use Doctrine) that allows anyone to use your written or recorded music for the purpose of research, news reporting, commentary, or criticism. In other words, there are times when the use of copyrighted material is deemed appropriate without the consent of the one holding the copyright.

In some cases, copyrighting music alone is not enough to protect your music, at least not without going through a lot of hoops to do so. One of the things you can do to protect your copyright is provide notice of copyright. This involves writing a simple statement such as using the word "copyright," the date, and your name at the bottom of your sheet music or on the case for the recording or the actual recording itself. CDs are the most common means for recording devices today and a notice of copyright can easily be added to the exterior of your CD or on your label if you have one printed.

Why copyright music? The answer is simple: so others cannot take credit for your hard work and creative genius. For extra protection you may want to register your copyright as well. Registering your copyright will provide you with formal legal documentation of your ownership of your music should anyone attempt to claim rights to your music or dispute the true ownership/authorship of your music.

You must have your copyright registered if you wish to file a copyright infringement suit; it is, in my opinion, better to not only copyright music during the creation process, but also to register your copyright before it could possibly become an issue. Registering a copyright is not a difficult a process. Basically it involves filling out an application, paying a filing fee (check with the U. S. Copyright Office for the current amount), and a copy of the work you want to protect.

Your music doesn't have to be published to obtain a copyright. Music should be copyrighted and registered long before the publication process to protect your rights as the creator of the music. Whether you are dabbling with cute little limericks or writing masterpieces and concertos, you want to make sure to copyright music earlier rather than later for the best possible outcome should any problems arise. Brian Scott is a freelance journalist who covers copyright law for http://www.ResearchCopyright.com. Download his free e-book, "Copyright Basics" at http://ResearchCopyright.com. ]]> Copyright Law And Legal Protection Of Your Work http://www.artwoo.com/article/copyright-law-and-legal-protection-of-your-work http://www.artwoo.com/article/copyright-law-and-legal-protection-of-your-work#comments Sun, 29 Jul 2007 01:14:59 +0000 publish a bookintellectual propertycopyright lawfifty yearsroyaltiesblogminnesota law http://www.artwoo.com/article/copyright-law-and-legal-protection-of-your-work Copyright law is a means of securing legal protection of your ownership of a publication or another type of , such as a website or a . If you and sign a contract with a publisher, you normally agree to relinquish all rights to the work until a certain condition is met. This can be a length of time, in which case you will start to earn after your book has been in print for a certain number of months. It can also be a price, which would be the total royalties that your book must earn before you start getting paid. This price is normally your publishing advance, so when your book has made more than your advance, you start earning royalties.

When you publish a book, a website or a blog you automatically establish ownership of that content, whether you sign a contract or not. International copyright law can be extremely complicated, with many different clauses and conditions. However, the standard copyright for any publication is the life of the author plus . Once this time is over, the copyright of the publication could fall into the hands of any number of entities. Your copyright usually falls into the public domain, but you could have a special clause in your contract stipulating otherwise.

There are two different types of copyright that are generally established for a publication. The first is the copyright in the literary work itself, which has the duration of your life plus fifty years. The second is the copyright in the layout, format and distinct "feel" of the publication. According to copyright law the content remains your intellectual property for fifty years after that specific publication, so if your book sees a new edition a century after its first publication, you will still own this copyright. Get a minnesota business attorney to help you with , including copyright issues: http://www.bolinskelaw.com ]]> What Is U.S. Copyright Law? http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-us-copyright-law http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-us-copyright-law#comments Sun, 20 May 2007 07:15:01 +0000 us copyright lawthis means thatartistic expressioncopyright actcriminal sanctionscoverscopyright symbol http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-us-copyright-law US Copyright Law grants rights to individuals for the works they create. The US of 1790 has changed over the years. The current basis of US copyright law is based on the Copyright Act of 1976. US copyright law is relatively automatic. Once someone has an idea and produces it in tangible form, the creator is the copyright holder and has the authority to enforce his exclusivity to it. In other words, the person is the owner of the creation. It is not necessary that a person register their work. However, it is recommended and it can serve as evidence if someone ever violates a copyright. It is interesting to note that when an employer hires an employee to produce a work that the copyright is given to the employer.

Violations of US Copyright Law are generally enforced in a civil court setting. However, there could also be brought against someone who violates US copyright law. Someone in serious violation of US Copyright Law, such as counterfeiting, can find themselves on the inside of prison looking out. People need to understand the is not a requirement. Someone may have a copyright, yet their work may not have a copyright notice or symbol.

US Copyright Law a wide range of things that are derived from , intellectual or creative work. This includes things such as literary works, music, drawings, photographs, software, movies, choreographic works such as ballets and plays, poems, paintings and more. The law covers the form of expression, not the concept, facts or the actual idea of the work. someone can use another person's idea or concept and produce their own take on it. However, copying another person's work is a violation. some things may not be copyrighted but they may be protected by a patent or trademark.

Individuals who have a copyright on a particular piece of work can do with it what they will. They may choose to copy it and sell it. They may display their work or perform it in public and charge admission, or they can assign or sell the work to someone else. Individuals who have a copyright can also choose to do nothing with their work, if that is their desire. However, if someone comes along and takes the work and tries to use it in some way, that person is still in violation of the owner's copyright. Copyrights cover published and unpublished work.

Anyone who is in the creative arts arena should be very careful that they do not violate US Copyright Law. For that matter, anyone who is a fan of the creative arts should make sure they are not in violation of a copyright. Simple things like uploading, downloading and sharing music or movie files can result in serious charges and fines being brought against them. The popularity of the Internet and file sharing software has increased copyright violations. Copyright owners are starting to take a stand against copyright violators and are hunting down the perpetrators. Be careful you are not overstepping your boundaries and violating someone's copyright law. Brian Scott is a freelance journalist who covers copyright law for http://www.ResearchCopyright.com ]]> When Does Copyright Expire On My Music? http://www.artwoo.com/article/when-does-copyright-expire-on-my-music http://www.artwoo.com/article/when-does-copyright-expire-on-my-music#comments Sat, 02 Jun 2007 14:24:59 +0000 copyright musiccopyrighted musicmusic worksthis means thatfreelance journalistlifetimeworry http://www.artwoo.com/article/when-does-copyright-expire-on-my-music copyrighted music isn't something you have to about, at least not in your . The music that you've written is copyrighted the moment you've put it onto paper or recorded it. The reason you don't have to worry about expiration is because the music is protected until 70 years after the death of the author. In the case of your music, that author would be you.

This rule about expiration was first put into place so that the families and heirs of an author could still earn royalties even after his or her death. Ultimately if you've taken the steps to copyright your music and have registered the copyright, then your music will be protected throughout your lifetime until 70 years after you or the last surviving author (assuming a collaboration) is deceased.

Copyright music expiration is not something you should make a primary concern unless you are having issues of someone respecting and/or honoring your copyright at the moment. You should take comfort in the fact that as long as you are alive you are the only one who can assign your copyright to another person; and as long as you haven't given up your ownership of the music it still belongs to you.

This is different, however, if your copyrighted music was work "made for hire." If that is the case then you cannot have ownership of the music, as it never legally belonged to you, but the person or entity who hired you to produce the music. Works made for hire have different copyright music expiration than those owned by the creator. With works made for hire, the copyrights are in effect for 95 years from the original publication date or for 120 years from the creation of the work, whichever of the two is shorter. Brian Scott is a who covers copyright law for http://www.ResearchCopyright.com. ]]> How To Use Copyrighted Music Legally http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-use-copyrighted-music-legally http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-use-copyrighted-music-legally#comments Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:35:00 +0000 public domain musicfree public domain musiccopyright musicwritten musicuse musicrecorded musicfree public domain http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-use-copyrighted-music-legally copyright music is often mistaken with free or music in which the copyright has expired. A copyright is in place for the lifetime of the author plus 70 years. If more than one songwriter has authored the music, then the copyright will be in effect for 70 years after the death of the last surviving contributor.

This copyright law was created to ensure that the heirs of the songwriter would also benefit from the royalties after the music's writer or composer was no longer living. It is important to remember that these laws are the current laws; music written at different points in time are most likely subject to different copyright laws. When searching for free copyright music it is always a good idea to search through music that is very old rather than focusing your search on more recent musical selections, as they will most likely still be protected under copyright.

When using free copyright music or public domain music, you must be certain the copy you are using is within the copyright period. Any music published before 1922 is public domain music. This does not, however, include derivatives or new versions of that music which may still be under copyright protection. Finding a copy of the music with the copyright date included, if that date is prior to 1922, is the best route to ensure you are complying with current copyright laws and you not infringing on someone else's copyright.

is protected differently than . Almost every sound recording copyrighted in the United States is protected until 2067. If you need a sound recording you should either purchase one or make one of your own. You can find many free copyright music by searching on Google; which allows free use of the music and free of any royalty payments.

Copyright laws in the United States are different than they are in other countries. If you wish to that is or was under copyright in another country, then you must follow the laws that apply to the particular piece of music. Free copyright music is available in almost every country and many genres; the trick is finding great sources where you can easily find this music.

There is a project called Mutopia, which operates like project Gutenberg. Mutopia provides free copyright music. The Gutenberg project also has a section devoted to free sheet music, in addition to its wonderful resources for books. Each of these projects provides excellent resources to find free copyright music for whatever reason.

Whether you are a musician seeking inspiration from the music of old or hoping to find a composition -- which you can rearrange and make your own -- there are many ways you can achieve your goals that will not violate current copyright laws. The key is learning the copyright laws both where you live and countries in which the music you seek to modify. Brian Scott is a freelance journalist who covers copyright law for http://www.ResearchCopyright.com. Download his free e-book, "Copyright Basics" at http://ResearchCopyright.com. ]]> Office Depot Coupons Can Put A Dent In Office Supply Costs http://www.artwoo.com/article/office-depot-coupons-can-put-a-dent-in-office-supply-costs http://www.artwoo.com/article/office-depot-coupons-can-put-a-dent-in-office-supply-costs#comments Tue, 03 Oct 2006 08:27:10 +0000 office depot couponsinkamount of moneyproduct rebatesdiscount couponaffiliate websiteswebsites charge http://www.artwoo.com/article/office-depot-coupons-can-put-a-dent-in-office-supply-costs Office Depot coupons could significantly reduce the amount you spend on office supplies each year, would you believe me? Well, believe it or not, it's true. Office Depot coupons are an excellent way to make your dollar stretch further each and every time you shop for office supplies.

Office Depot coupons can really take a bite out of your office supply costs. If you don't believe me, let the numbers speak for themselves. Let's say you needed some for your printer and the ink you needed came to a total of $80. You could go to the store, spend time, gas and the full $80 for the ink or you could take advantage of one of the Office Depot coupons available and get $20 off your purchase and spend only $60 on the ink you needed. If you did that four times a year, you'd be saving $80 a year on ink alone. Now imagine how much you would save if you applied Office Depot Coupons to all of your office supply needs!

In the above scenario, you wouldn't have to pay for shipping either. In addition to getting great savings from Office Depot coupons, you can also get free next business day shipping each time your order totals more than fifty dollars. Considering the fact some office supply at least six dollars for shipping, getting shipping for free just adds to the benefits of using Office Depot Coupons.

There are often multiple Office Depot coupons available through . These coupons usually offer a specific discount for spending a certain . For example, some Office Depot coupons offer $20 off a $75 purchase and other Office Depot coupons offer $30 a $150 purchase. How much money you save will depend on how much money you spend and the Office Depot coupons that are available at the time of your purchase.

Office Depot coupons can not be combined with each other, but you can sometimes combine Office Depot coupons with certain . For example, if you are using a $30 on a computer purchase and the manufacturer of that computer is offering a $200 rebate, your total savings could be $230. Just make sure you can combine the rebate with the coupon before making the purchase.

Sometimes Office Depot coupons expire, so make sure the coupon you're using is valid. If it's valid, the coupon discount will be reflected in the itemized total given during the checkout process. If you get your Office Depot coupons by clicking a link from an affiliate website, you shouldn't have to worry about invalid coupons. Other sources of Office Depot coupons may not be so reliable.

Don't spend more money than you need to. The next time you find yourself running out of office supplies, look and see what Office Depot coupons are available through an affiliate website. You'll be glad you did. Copyright © 2006, Michael Glozman. Find more Office Depot Coupons at http://Cheapstingybargains.com ]]> The Copyright Law Act Of 1976 Is Still Relevant In Today's Digital Age http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-copyright-law-act-of-1976-is-still-relevant-in-todays-digital-age http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-copyright-law-act-of-1976-is-still-relevant-in-todays-digital-age#comments Wed, 25 Jul 2007 23:24:59 +0000 copyright lawcopyright lawslaw actsound recordingspreemptedpantomimescopyright symbol http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-copyright-law-act-of-1976-is-still-relevant-in-todays-digital-age Copyright Law Act of 1976 is the basis of United States . The Copyright states the rights of copyright owners, the doctrine of the Fair Use copyright laws, and it changed the term life of copyrights. Before the Copyright Law Act, the law had not been revised since 1909. It was necessary that copyright laws be revised to take into account technological strides that were being made in radio, , motions pictures and more. The Copyright Law Act of 1976 all previous laws that were on the books in the United States, including the Copyright Act of 1909.



The Copyright Law Act of 1976 defines "works of authorship" to include all of the following:

* Musical works * Literary works * Dramatic works * Pictorial, sculptural and graphics * Motion Pictures and Audiovisuals * Sound Recordings * Choreographic Works and * An eighth work which falls under "architectural works" was later added in 1990.

What is unique about the United States copyright law is that it is automatic. Once someone has an idea and produces it in tangible form, the creator is the copyright holder and has the authority to enforce his exclusivity to it. In other words, the person is the owner of the creation. It is not necessary that a person register their work. However, it is recommended and it can serve as evidence if someone ever violates a copyright.

Violations of US Copyright Laws are generally enforced in a civil court setting. However, there could also be criminal sanctions brought against someone who violates US copyright laws. Someone who is in serious violation of US Copyright Laws, such as counterfeiting, can find themselves on the inside of prison. People need to understand that the is not a requirement. Someone may have a copyright, yet their work may not have a copyright notice or symbol.

US Copyright Law covers a wide range of things that are derived from artistic expression, intellectual or creative work. This includes things such as literary works, music, drawings, photographs, software, movies, choreographic works such as ballets and plays, poems, paintings and more. The law covers the form of expression, not the concept, facts or the actual idea of the work. This means that someone can use another person's idea or concept and produce their own take on it. However, copying another person's work is a violation. Some things may not be copyrighted but they may be protected by a patent or trademark.

Individuals who have a copyright on a particular piece of work can do what they want with it. They may choose to copy it and sell it. They may display their work or perform it in public and charge admission, or they can assign or sell the work to someone else. Individuals who have a copyright can also choose to do nothing with their work, if that is their desire. However, if someone comes along and takes the work and tries to use it in some way, that person is still in violation of the owner's copyright. The Copyright Law Act covers published and unpublished works. Brian Scott is a freelance journalist who covers copyright law for http://www.ResearchCopyright.com. Download his free e-book, "Copyright Basics" at http://ResearchCopyright.com. ]]> Public Domain Works - What Is It? http://www.artwoo.com/article/public-domain-works-what-is-it http://www.artwoo.com/article/public-domain-works-what-is-it#comments Mon, 02 Jul 2007 11:24:58 +0000 public domaincopyright lawsseveral factorsgovernments workstart a businesswill vary dependingcopyright office http://www.artwoo.com/article/public-domain-works-what-is-it public domain being used as new products by entrepreneurs today. This is a great way to , or to improve the overall bottom line of an existing business.

Work that is in the public domain includes any work for which the copyright has expired, and not been renewed, any work that was published prior to 1923, works produced by the United States Government, and other specific Governments, Work that is donated to the public domain, or any other work that has no laws that restrict its use by the public.

The work itself may be in the form of a book, an article, a song, a film, a photograph, a painting, or even an invention. These works that are not covered by , or are no longer covered by copyright laws, are free for the public to use as they see fit.

This does not mean that if a work is freely obtained it is in the public domain. In other words, if you saw it on a website, for free, that doesn't mean that it is okay for you to use it. In fact, most things that are written down, in any form, are automatically copyrighted.

Public domain refers to work in which the copyright has run its course. According to the of the United States:

"The term of copyright for a particular work depends on , including whether it has been published, and, if so, the date of first publication. As a general rule, for works created after January 1, 1978, copyright protection lasts for the life of the author plus an additional 70 years. For an anonymous work, a pseudonymous work, or a work made for hire, the copyright endures for a term of 95 years from the year of its first publication or a term of 120 years from the year of its creation, whichever expires first. For works first published prior to 1978, the term on several factors."

Public domain also refers to work that was meant for the public domain, such as work that is donated, as well as work that never had a copyright, which would be work that was created prior to 1923, or work that was not copyrightable material.

These materials are free for the public to use, in any manner that they choose. You can use bits and pieces of a public domain work, or the entire work itself. You can create new work from the bits and pieces, or sell an entire work =96 as you see fit. Don Schonberg has 30+ years of tech experience in the corporate world of Info Technology. Now retired, he markets on the net and is an eBay Power Seller. Sign up for his free Power Sellers ecourse at http://www.bestauctionaffiliates.com and visit his blog, Internet Marketing Made Simple,at http://www.donschonberg.com ]]> Pay Attention To Trademarks And Copyrights http://www.artwoo.com/article/pay-attention-to-trademarks-and-copyrights http://www.artwoo.com/article/pay-attention-to-trademarks-and-copyrights#comments Tue, 06 Jun 2006 06:32:02 +0000 coca cola companytrademarknamesregisterbusiness namepatent officewaste of money http://www.artwoo.com/article/pay-attention-to-trademarks-and-copyrights
What's in a Name?

Your name is one of the most important assets your business has -- it's how your customers identify you. Knowing your name is the first step to trusting you and recommending you to others. But what can you do if you're afraid that someone else might start using your name, or simply start another company with a similar enough name to confuse people?

The answer is that you can a . A trademark is a word or logo that distinguishes one thing from another, and you have the right to register any or logos your business uses, in order to stop other people from using them. Coca-Cola, for example, is a trademark of the Coca-Cola Company -- if I start selling my own drink and calling it 'Coca-Cola', or even something like 'Cocoa-Cooler', then they have grounds to sue me.

Making Your Mark.

You can trademark both your business' name as well as the names of any products you sell. The only condition is that they can't be too similar to names that someone has already trademarked, and you can't usually trademark words that are in common use.

It costs a few hundred dollars to register a trademark, and you can do it through the . It can be a to trademark too many words, so you should only bother with it if you think one of your names could be threatened by competitors.

Once you get your trademark, it's yours -- you can do whatever you want with it, including giving others permission to use it or selling it to them. Remember, though, that your trademark usually only applies in the country where you registered it -- you will not usually be protected from competition where foreign businesses are using your trademark. Also, your right to use the trademark will only last for a set number of years (usually a decade from the date of registration). After this time, you will have to pay again to renew it.

Don't Copy Me.

Copyrights are similar to trademarks in terms of the kind of protection they offer, but different in how they work. In almost all countries, ownership of copyright is automatic, and costs nothing. The moment you write (or draw, or record) something, you own the copyright on it, and can take action against anyone who makes a copy of it without your permission. This article you're reading right now, for example, has the automatic copyright. If you decided to copy it without permission and put it on your own website, then that would be illegal. Not that you would do such a thing, of course.

It is possible to own the copyright on almost anything that exists but isn't physical: music, graphics, writing, computer programs, and so on. It does not, however, cover physical things (that's patents), nor does it cover names (that's trademarks).

A copyright lasts longer than a trademark: typically it lasts until you die, and then a set number of years after that, depending on your country and the kind of thing that was copyrighted. After the end of this time, the work becomes 'public domain', free for anyone to use.

Of course, copyright is a right, not something that you absolutely must go along with. If you want to give people permission to freely use and redistribute something you've made, then you have the legal right to do this. You can even give up your copyright on a piece of work altogether, simply by writing on it that you no longer want to own the copyright.

Since you're in business, though, the chances are that you'll want more protection for your materials, not less. Look into registering your copyright at the patent office, as doing this will give you an even stronger case if you ever need to use it. UNIQUE Internet Marketing Software Saves You At Least 33 Minutes Of Your Valuable Time Per Day! Visit http://www.promobuddysoftware.com You may reproduce this article as long as an active hyperlink is accompanied. ]]> What Is Fair Use Copyright Law? http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-fair-use-copyright-law http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-fair-use-copyright-law#comments Tue, 07 Aug 2007 16:15:01 +0000 copyright lawresearch scholarshipfinancial gainseducational usespublishing companiescommercial gainnews reports http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-fair-use-copyright-law copyright law. The Fair Use copyright law enables people to use portions of material that is copyrighted for the purposes of criticism or as commentary. The hard part for many people is understanding what is permissible under the Fair Use copyright law and what is not permissible. Anyone who writes or publishes should brush up on what is allowed and what is not allowed. Using another person's words to make , to use as a comment or criticism or to use for research, scholarship, or for that are nonprofit are generally considered Fair Use. In these instances, the Fair Use copyright law allows one person or author to make use of another person or author's work without asking permission to do so. In situations that do not fall within these specifications, you are probably violating someone's copyright if you use their work =96 especially if you are using another person's work for economic or .



When you are trying to see if you can use another's words, you should keep a few things in mind. The answer to the following questions will help you gage whether you would be violating a copyright.

First, are you transforming someone else's work or are you copying it?

Second, are you making any from your work that would compete with the original copyright holder?

Third, do you have the author's permission to quote their work? Just because you list the author and give credit to him or her does not protect you from infringing upon someone's copyright.

Fourth, how much of the original author's work are you using? If you are using a substantial amount of another's work, you are probably in direct violation of their copyright.

Many have set rules on how much material they will allow to be quoted in other sources. Some of these ranges start at 100 words or less. However, there are truly no standards to go by, so be careful. You can not assume that keeping your copying fewer than 50 words will allow you to pass under the radar =96 especially if the original piece is hovering around 125 words itself!

Lastly, what portion of another's work are you using? If it is the meat of the book and the most important part of the book, you are probably in direct violation of the owner's copyright.

With a little common sense it is not hard to decide if you are violating someone's copyright. People who are truly interested in staying within the guidelines of the Fair Use copyright law usually do a good job of doing so. Many people push the Fair Use copyright law right up to the line, while others will blatantly cross over it without giving a second thought to the repercussions. When these people are summoned to court to answer for their vagrant disregard for the property and copyright of another, they are usually sorry. Sorry they got caught! It is very important that people who take advantage of the Fair Use copyright law are held accountable for their actions. Without accountability many more people would follow in their footsteps and use other creators' works as their own. Brian Scott is a freelance journalist who covers copyright law for http://www.ResearchCopyright.com ]]> Copyright Infringement Cases Can Teach Us To Obey Copyright Laws http://www.artwoo.com/article/copyright-infringement-cases-can-teach-us-to-obey-copyright-laws http://www.artwoo.com/article/copyright-infringement-cases-can-teach-us-to-obey-copyright-laws#comments Wed, 25 Jul 2007 13:25:00 +0000 copyright infringement casecopyright infringement casesprinceton university presssupreme courtcopyright lawfeist publicationstelephone service co http://www.artwoo.com/article/copyright-infringement-cases-can-teach-us-to-obey-copyright-laws Copyright infringement cases can be both costly and time consuming. Considering copyright infringement is something that isn't as easily defined as theft or speeding, there are numerous changing the way is viewed in the U.S. By reviewing a few of these copyright infringement cases, you can get a better idea of what is, and what is not, acceptable use of copyrighted works.

As a forward, however, you'll need to know something about copyright law. Most copyright lawsuits are brought to the courts because a copyright owner has found their copyright is being used outside the copyright laws. This usually means the copyright holder hadn't been asked for permission to use the work; or if they had, the work is not being used in an agreed-upon context or they have not been paid royalties. The copyright infringement cases, listed below, sample of what goes to the in copyright infringement.

v. Rural (6th Cir. 1996)

This copyright infringement case was brought to the Supreme Court in 1996 regarding the copyright of a database. The Supreme Court, in this instance, decided that compilations of data (such as in a database) are only protected by copyright when they are "arranged and selected in an original manner." Although the level of originality needed to make the database copyright-able is not very high, the pages of a directory (such as a phone book) are not protected because the data contained therein is arranged geographically, then alphabetically. Because of this, the data was not original enough to warrant a copyright infringement charge. The competing telephone company was allowed to tap into their competitors' database and use that data in their own work without liability.

v. Michigan Document Services, Inc (6th Cir 1996)

This case has to do with the Fair Use law, which is defined in the Copyright Act of 1976, 17 U.S.C. =A7 107. In this case, a photocopying service was sued for copyright infringement for making "course packs" for the University of Michigan. In this case, a course pack was a group of reading materials assigned by a professor -- then the course pack was bound together by a professional copy shop.

In the Fair Use system, there is a system available for payment of copyright fees to publishers whose works are used in course materials. The printing shop owner refused to pay the copyright cost. When it went to the Supreme Court, they analyzed the Fair Use code and found that it was NOT Fair Use, and the printing shop had to pay the copyright costs.

As you can see, copyright infringement cases are cases in which someone violates the rights of a copyright owner, as provided by 17 USC =A7106, or of the author as provided in =A7106A. These copyright infringement cases can be taken to either criminal or civil court, and can carry with it a hefty fine.

Copyright infringement cases are brought upon people who violate copyrights every day. In recent times, you'll find many copyright cases in relation to electronic copyrights -- such as those you'd find on a website or PDF file, as well as other digital media such as music and audio files.

It's probable that you've seen copyright cases brought against the common person -- such as a child or family -- for downloading digital music in the form of MP3s. In the current Internet age, it's not surprising to see so many music and video copyright cases brought to us because of peer to peer file sharing made possible by the Internet. You can be certain that until people know the rules of copyright, and downloading copyrighted material from the Internet, we'll see many more copyright cases. Brian Scott is a freelance journalist who covers copyright law for http://www.ResearchCopyright.com. Download his free e-book, "Copyright Basics" at http://ResearchCopyright.com. ]]> Understanding Fair Use Rights http://www.artwoo.com/article/understanding-fair-use-rights http://www.artwoo.com/article/understanding-fair-use-rights#comments Thu, 19 Oct 2006 16:27:08 +0000 nuigalwaycopyright lawscopyright infringementjargonwords from a songparagraphscholarship http://www.artwoo.com/article/understanding-fair-use-rights Copyright infringement is defined as "a violation of the rights secured by a copyright."

All writers at one time or another have quoted something someone else has written. I see it all the time throughout the writing industry. Maybe you quoted the lines of a poem or a line from an article or the . I quoted the work of another author in the above , where I defined copyright. Given my example in the opening paragraph, did I just infringe on the author's copyright? Should I have gotten permission from the said author to quote them? No, under what is known as "fair use", I may quote the author without seeking permission.

There is a misconception in the writing world about what fair use is. Fair use is defined as "a concept in copyright law that allows limited use of copyright material without requiring permission from the rights holders, eg, for or review."

If you were to publish an author's article in its full entirety without seeking permission from that author you would be violating their copyright even if you credited the author and provided a link to the source of the article. Quoting two lines from the news article with a link to the entire article would be considered fair use. Except for the facts in the article, news articles are protected under . So when are you allowed the right to fair use? Fair use is allowed for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research.

I hope that this article has given you a better understanding of fair use. For more information on copyright, please visit http://www.copyright.gov

Acknowledgement: Help and FAQs - Explained (AF) [James Hardiman Library - NUI ... -.ie/help/jargon/" >http://www.library.nuigalway.ie/help/jargon/ Rose DesRochers is the founder of Today's Woman Writing Community http://www.todays-woman.net, a supportive online writing community for men and women over 18. Rose is also the founder of Blogger Talk Blog Community http://www.bloggertalk.net, a friendly fast growing blogging portal. ]]> What Is Music Copyright Law? http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-music-copyright-law http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-music-copyright-law#comments Fri, 10 Aug 2007 10:25:01 +0000 music copyright lawmusic recordingsmusic copyrightingmusic copyrightsmusic compositionemaildownloading music http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-music-copyright-law music copyright law and do not even know it. Music copyright law can be very tricky. There are multiple that you must keep in mind =96 lyrics, composition and the recording of the music by an artist. Using someone's music may involve you acquiring many different licenses such as mechanical, synchronization, performance and publishing licenses.

Music copyright law has separate copyrights for the vocal or instrumental recordings of a composition or performance and the copyright of the written lyrics and music. Standard practices usually entail that the writer of the song retains the rights to the right to the which the studio that did the recording of the music holds the rights of the recording. Music copyright law can get very complicated. It can involve negotiations with the writers, producers, agents, heirs and more.

Many artists and studios are upset with the decline in music sales. They are attributing this decline to people who are violating copyright laws by on the Internet. Music files are under the same copyright law as and the owners of these copyrights are entitled to royalties or compensation for the music that people are illegally downloading on the Internet.

The simple fact is you are stealing if you make copies of copyrighted music recordings without authorization. If people were sued for the music they have downloaded illegally, it could result in thousands of dollars. Music copyright law states that it is illegal to duplicate and distribute creative work. If you send someone an with a song that you have illegally downloaded on the Internet, you could be in for some serious trouble. To put it bluntly and plainly, if you download (or upload) music that is copyrighted without permission, you are breaking the law.

Many people violate music copyright law and do not even understand how their actions are criminal. If you purchase a music CD you can make a copy of it for yourself on your MP3. However, if you then use that recording and put it on your website or blog and make it available for everyone to download, you are performing an illegal act. Even if you join a site and pay a fee to download music, you are in violation of music copyright law.

This may sound like something that would never come back to haunt you. After all, if you were caught, it would be a first time offense, right? Well, you should know that there have been first time offenders who have been fined up to $250,000 and up to five years in jail for violating music copyright law. It is so much easier to go out and pay 20 bucks for a CD.

Whether you are uploading music or downloading music, educate yourself on music copyright law. No one wants to ruin their financial future and face jail time. Enjoy music, just do it the right way! Brian Scott is a freelance journalist who covers copyright law for http://www.ResearchCopyright.com. ]]>